US5006178A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermo-electric device with each element containing two halves and an intermediate connector piece of differing conductivity
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1989-04-27
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Granted: 1991-04-09
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Expires: 2009-04-27
Abstract
Abstract Thermoelectric device having a number of thermoelectric elements electrically connected in series and thermally connected in parallel. Each element is provided with two element halves, electrically connected in series and thermally connected in parallel, of opposite conductivity types. Each element half has two semiconducting end pieces and an electrically conducting intermediate piece which are electrically connected in series.
Inventors
- 👤 Theodorus Bijvoets
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 20:53
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10N; H10N10/00; H10N10/10; H10N10/17; H10N10/80; H10N10/81; H10N10/817
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A thermoelectric device comprising a number of thermoelectric elements electrically connected in series and thermally connected in parallel, said thermoelectric elements each being provided with two element halves, electrically connected in series and thermally connected in parallel, of opposite conductivity types, characterized in that each element half has two semiconducting end pieces and an electrical conductivity intermediate piece of differing electrical conductivity which are electrically connected in series.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
68 words
A thermoelectric device comprising a number of thermoelectric elements electrically connected in series and thermally connected in parallel, said thermoelectric elements each being provided with two element halves, electrically connected in series and thermally connected in parallel, of opposite conductivity types, characterized in that each element half has two semiconducting end pieces and an electrical conductivity intermediate piece of differing electrical conductivity which are electrically connected in series.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The thermoelectric device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrically conducting intermediate piece consists of a metal doped for reducing the thermal conductivity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The thermoelectric device according to claim 1, characterized in that the intermediate piece is thermally insulating.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The thermoelectric device according to any of claims 1-3, characterized in that the length of the intermediate piece is substantially longer than that of the end pieces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The thermoelectric device according to any of claims 1-3, characterized in that the intermediate piece is flexible.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The thermoelectric device according to any of claims 1-3, characterized in that the intermediate piece has at least two constituent pieces of different materials.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The thermoelectric device according to claim 6, characterized in that it has intermediate pieces having a predetermined longitudinal division.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The thermoelectric device according to claim 4, characterized in that it has intermediate pieces of at least two different materials.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The thermoelectric device according to claim 6, characterized in that the combined length of said constituent pieces is substantially longer than that of said end pieces.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The thermoelectric device according to claim 5, characterized in that said intermediate piece is substantially longer than that of said end pieces.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3648470A
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Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-04-08 | 1994-10-08 | 1995-04-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-04-08 | 1998-10-08 | 1999-04-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-04-08 | 2002-10-08 | 2003-04-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |